Hi ptf,

First, please post your computer specs to the best of your knowledge. Posting computer specs definitely helps troubleshoot computers more efficiently. If you haven't tried this yet, see if your computer boots up fine into "Safe Mode". Turn on your computer and keep on tapping the "F8" key bring up the Safe Mode Menu. Once on the Safe Mode Menu, select "Safe Mode w/ Networking".

When was the last time the computer worked successfully for you?

 

You need to try running chkdsk. If you are able to access windows in safe mode you can do this by selecting run from the start menu and entering cmd to bring up a command box. Next enter chkdsk /r then enter. It will say it can't run because the drive is in use and ask to schedule at next reboot. Type y then enter, then reboot, and let it run. You can also run this utility from recovery console, but before we get into that try safe mode first.

 

You need to try running chkdsk. selecting run and entering cmd to bring up a command box. Next enter chkdsk /r then enter. It will say it can't run because the drive is in use and ask to schedule at next reboot. Type y then enter, then reboot, and let it run.

If in Safe Mode or regular mode, you have no icons or Start Button just a blank Desktop, press CTRL+ALT+DEL and enter the Task Manager. Go up to File/New Task (Run) and follow the instructions in the quote.

 

I'm running XP PRO SP3 on an IBM T23 model: 2648-EU2, 1.13 MHZ, 1 GB RAM.
The computer boots fine in safe mode. It was about 2 months ago that the issue started. I defrag once a week. I have run chkdsk with no issues. I have run msconfig and booted bare bones.

I run updated AVG and Ad-Aware once a week and RegServe more frequently. I have also run SDFix to check for trojans and worms.

About 6 months ago I replaced the CPU fan when I noticed it was running a little sluggish.

I have also turned off the windows welcome audio in case that file was corrupted.

The minute and a half or so that it hesitates between showing wallpaper and loading taskbar and program icons is not critical but is more of an annoyance.

Any suggestion that could resolve this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks,

PTF

 

This will work if the computer hesitates while windows "refreshes" all of the Desktop Icons. This is because the ShellIconCache file has reached it's limit of 500 entries. To stop this, run Regedit and open the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer and create a new string value. Name it MaxCachedIcons and then set the value to 2000

 

Created the registry entry. Still no luck.

 

You said the "magic words" "I run Reg Serve more frequently" and I'm afraid we most likely cannot help you then as Reg cleaners mostly create irresolvable damage to Windows, so you know, there is no reason to clean a registry, nothing to clean and the only possible thing you can do is damage it irreparably from use of such things.
If you cannot get to Safe Mode and then run a System Restore to prior to running such a thing, I would suggest to save time a reformat and reinstall of Windows.
miekiemoes' Blog: Registry Cleaners and System Tweaking Tools

Why I don’t use registry cleaners | Ed Bott

 

I find this post most interesting, because I only recently installed RegServe not Reg Serve (highly recommded by an editor of PCWorld) long after my issue with windows startup to see if this would alleviate this problem.

Thanks for your information.

 

As I often say, and only a New Yorker or ex-New Yorker like myself may well understand, a recommendation from Pc World and a quarter will get you on the Staten Island Ferry!

 

yup They probably got paid for their "highly qualified" opinion too.

 

The T23 was first introduced in 2001 and has a Pentium III processor. There is only so much magic you can do to an old machine to make it run well.
Try running the Lenovo System Update for all the latest drivers and Bios Update for this model.

 

I have run the most recent Lenovo System Update (systemupdate314-2010-10-29) for XP. When I ran (systemupdate40-2011-02-18) as you suggested it pretty much wants to see 7.

Thought you had it with the "MaxCachedIcons" regestry entry. This made the most sence.

Now my suspicion is that it might be the CPU. Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your suggestion.